Tony Hancock

Anthony John Hancock, best known as Tony Hancock (May 12, 1924 – June 24, 1968) was a major figure in British television and radio comedy in the 1950s and 1960s.

Early Life and Career

He was born in Birmingham, England, but raised in Bournemouth where his mother and step-father ran a small hotel then known as The Durlston Court, but now named The Quality Hotel. He was educated at a boarding school in Swanage and Bradfield College, Berkshire. He left school aged 15. In 1942 he joined the RAF Regiment and following a failed audition for ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) ended up with The Ralph Reader Gang Show. Following the war he received regular radio work in shows such as Workers' Playtime and Variety Bandbox. In 1951 he gained a part in Educating Archie, where he played the tutor and foil to the real star, a ventriloquist's dummy. Here he developed a catchphrase — "flippin' kids" — that was to earn him real recognition. In 1954 he was given his own BBC radio show: Hancock's Half Hour.

Related Topics:
Birmingham - England - Bournemouth - Boarding school - Bradfield College - Berkshire - 1942 - RAF - 1954 - BBC - Hancock's Half Hour

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